DSP (Direct Support Professional) Roles and Responsibilities

“What does a DSP or Direct Support Professional do?”

A DSP or Direct Support Professionals works with and supports individuals with developmental disabilities in the places where they live and work. 

DSP’s make their jobs in licensed homes, supported or independent living environments, day programs, and work sites. 

A DSP has many important roles and responsibilities to perform including roles of a:

• Partner 

  They assist individuals to lead independent lives and participate in and contribute to the community.

• Teacher 

  They look for creative and fun ways to help individuals learn meaningful skills and provide them with information to make the best choices for themselves.

• Ambassador

  They support the individual’s community, encouraging others to interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities as neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

• Advocate 

  Encouraging and Supporting individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities.

• Supporter 

  Seeking to understand the likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams of individuals they support and working with them as they make progress toward their life goals.

Direct Support Professionals

focus on supporting individuals to live the kind of lives they choose. 

The importance of DSP in their profession also impacts their specific knowledge, abilities, skills, and training that they have gained in their recognition and appreciation as Direct Support Professionals.

DSPs have joined together to form a professional organization called the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). The NADSP has developed a set of professional ethics (standards for professional conduct) for DSPs. 

For more information and updates about NADSP, they have a website for DSPs that is very helpful for DSPs. 

Visit the NADSP website: www.nadsp.org.

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